Jennifer L. Holm's Blog, page 10
August 7, 2012
Sometimes it pays to be a hoarder ...
It's bookday for EIGHTH GRADE IS MAKING ME SICK!
Ginny has big plans for eighth grade. She's going to try out for cheerleading, join Virtual Vampire Vixens, and maybe even fall in love. But middle school is more of a roller-coaster ride than Ginny could have ever predicted. Filled with Post-its, journal entries, grocery lists, hand-drawn comic strips, report cards, IMs, notes, and more,Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick is the sometimes poignant, often hilarious, always relatable look at a year in the life of one girl, told entirely through her stuff.
This book was illustrated by the AMAZING Elicia Castaldi:
And here's a behind-the-scenes look at how she did it:
Also, if you're a Babymouse or Squish fan, the comics are done by my bro, Matt Holm.
Ginny has big plans for eighth grade. She's going to try out for cheerleading, join Virtual Vampire Vixens, and maybe even fall in love. But middle school is more of a roller-coaster ride than Ginny could have ever predicted. Filled with Post-its, journal entries, grocery lists, hand-drawn comic strips, report cards, IMs, notes, and more,Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick is the sometimes poignant, often hilarious, always relatable look at a year in the life of one girl, told entirely through her stuff.
This book was illustrated by the AMAZING Elicia Castaldi:
And here's a behind-the-scenes look at how she did it:
Also, if you're a Babymouse or Squish fan, the comics are done by my bro, Matt Holm.
August 3, 2012
Can we all just take a minute here and SMILE?
Did you see what the #1 paperback graphic book was on the The New York Times bestseller list last week?
That's right. A graphic novel about a sixth grade girl created by one of the most ridiculously talented ladies in comics was number one on The New York Times. If that's not enough to make you smile, I don't know what is.
GO, RAINA!
That's right. A graphic novel about a sixth grade girl created by one of the most ridiculously talented ladies in comics was number one on The New York Times. If that's not enough to make you smile, I don't know what is.
GO, RAINA!
July 24, 2012
Tune in tomorrow!
What happens when Babymouse meets the Lunch Lady ... ?
Find out tomorrow at The Summer Book Club!
Tune in at 5pm EDT to Sirius XM Kidsplacelive to hear my brother Matt and I chat about Babymouse and Squish with the incredible Jarrett Krosoczka and Absolutely Mindy!
p.s. And thanks for making my hair look so fabulous, Jarrett! (It doesn't look like that in real life. Trust me.)
Find out tomorrow at The Summer Book Club!
Tune in at 5pm EDT to Sirius XM Kidsplacelive to hear my brother Matt and I chat about Babymouse and Squish with the incredible Jarrett Krosoczka and Absolutely Mindy!
p.s. And thanks for making my hair look so fabulous, Jarrett! (It doesn't look like that in real life. Trust me.)
July 11, 2012
May the best whiskers win ...
And the campaign ads are rolling out ...
July 10, 2012
Bookday!
Today is BABYMOUSE FOR PRESIDENT's "bookday!"
This is the 16th Babymouse book! Which, of course, is still mind-boggling. Our little mouse had very humble beginnings as you can see below.
Early Babymouse sketch by Matt Holm
We've learned a lot making Babymouse: That we love Sharpies, restickable gluesticks, and scanners that don't break. That it's never a good idea to put a water bottle in your computer bag. And that we need a copyeditor to make sure Babymouse always has a tail (yes, there is an "Official Tail-Checker".)
But, mostly, we've learned that it takes a team who believes in you. So, many thanks to the whole gang at Random House Childrens' Books (we're looking at you, Shana Corey and Cathy Goldsmith!) We couldn't make Babymouse--or Squish!--without you.
Last but not least, a heartfelt thanks to our readers. You make us get out of bed in the morning ... and sometimes stay up late working all night.
Cupcakes for everyone!
--Jenni & Matt
p.s. Hope to see you at Comic-con!
This is the 16th Babymouse book! Which, of course, is still mind-boggling. Our little mouse had very humble beginnings as you can see below.
Early Babymouse sketch by Matt Holm
We've learned a lot making Babymouse: That we love Sharpies, restickable gluesticks, and scanners that don't break. That it's never a good idea to put a water bottle in your computer bag. And that we need a copyeditor to make sure Babymouse always has a tail (yes, there is an "Official Tail-Checker".)
But, mostly, we've learned that it takes a team who believes in you. So, many thanks to the whole gang at Random House Childrens' Books (we're looking at you, Shana Corey and Cathy Goldsmith!) We couldn't make Babymouse--or Squish!--without you.
Last but not least, a heartfelt thanks to our readers. You make us get out of bed in the morning ... and sometimes stay up late working all night.
Cupcakes for everyone!
--Jenni & Matt
p.s. Hope to see you at Comic-con!
July 6, 2012
There will be cosplay!
Team Babymouse will be easy to spot this year on the convention floor at SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON because ...
... we will be wearing costumes designed by the fabulous Alette Mahler who is a costume designer for the Peninsula Youth Theatre!
Here's the full schedule of where we'll be. Come by and say "hi" (or "typical"!)
Thursday, July 12th 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. “GRAPHIC NOVELS: THE BOOKSTORE CROWD” PANELLocation: Room 23ABCDetails: The comics world looks at "mainstream comics" as the superhero crowd. But the real mainstream comics and graphic novels are in bookstores and created by a whole different crowd, one that lacks, for the most part, capes, powers, and spandex. Comics journalist Tom Spurgeon (comicsreporter.com) talks to Comic-Con special guests about their popular graphic novels that appeal to a more diverse audience in bookstores all over the world. Moderator: Tom Spurgeon, Comics ReporterPanelists: Kate Beaton (Hark! A Vagrant), Alison Bechdel (Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama), Brecht Evens (The Wrong Place), Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Squish, Babymouse), Nate Powell (Any Empire), Jason Shiga (Empire State: A Love Story)
4:30 – 5:00 p.m.RH BOOTH SIGNINGLocation: RH Booth #1515 Details: We will be signing Babymouse for President and assorted Babymouse/Squish backlist. ARCs of SQUISH #4: CAPTAIN DISASTER and the exclusive SDCC poster will also available for signing.
Friday, July 13 th 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT—“Babymouse: Inside the Bubble” panel Location: Room 8Details: Babymouse swept onto the comic-book scene in 2005 and now has over 1.6 million copies in print. Join brother-and-sister team, Matthew & Jennifer Holm (Babymouse, Squish) as they discuss how they create their critically-acclaimed graphic novel series Babymouse, and their bestselling pond scum-green series, Squish. Q&A session moderated by Scott Robins (A Parent's Guide to the Best Kids' Comics).
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.AUTOGRAPH AREA SIGNINGLocation: Autograph Area, Table AA08
Saturday, July 14 th 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.“Transforming Super-Powered Comic Book Readers into Comic Book Writers” PANEL
Location: Room 26AB Details: Panelists discuss the skills and rituals used to produce graphic novels and how educators can guide comic book readers to become comic book writers.Moderator: Dr. Meryl Jaffe (Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth OnLine division, Teaching Content Area Graphic Novels)Panelists: Joe Kelly (Deadpool, Uncanny X-Men, Action Comics, JLA, I Kill Giants), Jimmy Gownley (Shades of Gray, Amelia Rules), Jennifer and Matthew Holm (Babymouse, Squish), John Hogan (editor, Graphic Novel Reporter), Dr. Katie Monin (University of N. Florida, Teaching Graphic Novels), Dr. James Bucky Carter (UTEl Paso, Building Literacy Connections with Graphic Novels, Super Powered Word Study)
Sunday, July 15 th Today is Kids’ Day!10:00 – 10:45 a.m.RANDOM HOUSE BOOTH SIGNINGLocation: RH Booth #1515
July 5, 2012
It's the start of the election season and you know what that means ...
Presidential
cupcakes, that is!
Babymouse is announcing her official candidacy on July 10th! (And will also be pubbing that day, too!)
p.s. Shhh ... that's a sneak peek of the new Babymouse plush doll from the fabulous folks at Merrymakers.
p.p.s. Expect to see those awesome campaign buttons on the convention floor at SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON where Team Babymouse will be special guests! I will be updating with our full schedule in a few days, so stay tuned!
June 21, 2012
Happy Birthday, Mr. Sharp!
Colby Sharp (aka Mr. Sharp Reads) is one of the bright lights of children's lit. He is the co-founder of The Nerdy Book Club and is living proof that Real Men Read Babymouse!
So, Happy Birthday, Mr. Sharp ...
You make every day Babymousetastic.
June 13, 2012
Lloyd Alexander!
I just learned that there is a Lloyd Alexander Kickstarter project! They are making a documentary about him.
Lloyd Alexander Kickstarter project
You know who he is, right? He is the amazing author who wrote my favorite book ...
Can you say swoon?
So go HERE and consider donating. I just did. They only have 17 days to go. My old friends Taran, Eilonwy, Doli, Gwydion, Fflewddur Fflam and Dallben will thank you. (And Gurgi. Who can forget Gurgi? Not me.)
Lloyd Alexander Kickstarter project
You know who he is, right? He is the amazing author who wrote my favorite book ...
Can you say swoon?
So go HERE and consider donating. I just did. They only have 17 days to go. My old friends Taran, Eilonwy, Doli, Gwydion, Fflewddur Fflam and Dallben will thank you. (And Gurgi. Who can forget Gurgi? Not me.)
June 11, 2012
Sometimes things do come back from the dead ...
The Creek is back!
My book, The Creek, which had gone out of print years ago (sob!) has been resurrected as an e-book just in time for summer reading (whee!)
... and it has a fabulous new cover by the incredibly multi-talented Elicia Castaldi!
About The Creek:
Caleb Devlin is a legend on Mockingbird Lane--the boy who terrorized an entire town before he got sent away. They say he hurt other kids, tortured animals, set fires, and did things grown-ups speak of only in whispers. But that was all before Penny and her little brother moved here. Now Caleb's back, older and more dangerous than ever, and terrible things have started happening again. The whole town knows he's responsible, but the police can't do anything without proof. So Penny and her friends have no choice but to try to stop him themselves. Except now he's after them.
Praise: "Holm, author of several historical novels about girls grappling with puberty, gives the theme a contemporary twist, adding trappings of a creepy thriller that pushes the story well beyond the wan child-plays-detective stuff so prevalent in youth mysteries."-Booklist
"Chock-full of creepy moments, genuine tragedy, and sinister secrets. It's a good thing the plot moves quickly, because this one is hard to put down."- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"For middle schoolers hungry for horror fiction written on their level." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) CLICK HERE to try a sample or buy.
My book, The Creek, which had gone out of print years ago (sob!) has been resurrected as an e-book just in time for summer reading (whee!)
... and it has a fabulous new cover by the incredibly multi-talented Elicia Castaldi!
About The Creek:
Caleb Devlin is a legend on Mockingbird Lane--the boy who terrorized an entire town before he got sent away. They say he hurt other kids, tortured animals, set fires, and did things grown-ups speak of only in whispers. But that was all before Penny and her little brother moved here. Now Caleb's back, older and more dangerous than ever, and terrible things have started happening again. The whole town knows he's responsible, but the police can't do anything without proof. So Penny and her friends have no choice but to try to stop him themselves. Except now he's after them.
Praise: "Holm, author of several historical novels about girls grappling with puberty, gives the theme a contemporary twist, adding trappings of a creepy thriller that pushes the story well beyond the wan child-plays-detective stuff so prevalent in youth mysteries."-Booklist
"Chock-full of creepy moments, genuine tragedy, and sinister secrets. It's a good thing the plot moves quickly, because this one is hard to put down."- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"For middle schoolers hungry for horror fiction written on their level." - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) CLICK HERE to try a sample or buy.
